As the cooler weather starts to set in, your mind may turn away from thoughts of enjoying time in the pool, but that’s not the case at ATI. Several of our clinics feature warm therapy pools for aquatic therapy all year round.
Did you know that water has an amazing history of healing and rehabilitation?
Worldwide and throughout history water has been used for healing and rehabilitation purposes. Records can be traced as far back as 2400 BC, demonstrating curative uses of mineral waters by the Egyptian and Assyrian cultures. Modern western applications became noteworthy in the 1920s with the innovative Hubbard tank created by Leroy Hubbard, who in 1924 had a certain patient by the name of Franklin D. Roosevelt use his tanks in Warm Springs, Georgia.
Today, aquatic therapy recipients are experiencing centuries of scientific and holistic refinements for a wide variety of ailments and recovery needs. Treatments include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy, breathing strategies, electrotherapeutic modalities, physical agents and mechanical modalities using the properties of water and techniques unique to the aquatic environment.
“Aquatic therapy allows patients do to more in the water than they could on land,” says Luke Rigiel, Clinic Director and PT at our Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists clinic in Davison, MI. “For patients who are in pain or are weakened due to an injury or disability, aquatic therapy offers the perfect solution to begin treatment.”
While specific results vary from person to person, the benefits include:
- Reduced stress on the body
- Improved circulation
- Improved pain tolerance
- Muscle tension relaxation
- Increased exercise tolerance
To find an ATI Physical Therapy / Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists location near you that features a warm therapy pool, please visit our Aquatic Therapy page.
References:
American Academy of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationJournal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Aquaticpt.com
Aquaticdoc.com